Position description

The Order of the Arrow Representative from a Boy Scout troop or Varsity Scout team is a youth liaison between the local OA lodge or chapter. He coordinates service opportunities, unit elections, camp promotions, and inductions within the unit with the local OA lodge or chapter. He may request lodge and chapter resources to help meet the needs of his unit.

In his unit, he helps meet the needs of the unit and will serve as a communication and programmatic link to and from Arrowmen, adult leaders and Scouts who are not presently members of the Order. He will do this in a fashion that strengthens the mission of the lodge, purpose of the Order and the mission of the Boy Scouts of America. By setting a good example, he will enhance the image of the Order as a service arm to his unit.

Duties

In Boy Scout troops

Attends troop and chapter or lodge meetings regularly as a youth representative of the troop and Order.

Serves as a two-way communication link between the troop and the lodge or chapter.

Arranges with the lodge or chapter election team to conduct an annual Order of the Arrow election for the troop at a time approved by the Patrol Leaders Council.

Arranges with the lodge or chapter for at least one camp promotion visit to the unit annually.

Makes at least one high adventure presentation to the troop, to include the OA programs, annually.

As requested by the SPL, participates in Troop Courts of Honor by recognizing: high adventure participation of troop members, induction of new OA members, changes in OA honors of troop members, leadership of troop members, and other appropriate activities.

Coordinates the Ordeal Induction process for newly elected candidates by: ensuring they know the time and location of the Ordeal, providing information of what to bring to the Ordeal, assisting (as needed) in arranging transportation to the Ordeal, and offering assistance (as needed) to the lodge in the Ordeal process.

Assists current Ordeal members in the troop in sealing their membership by becoming Brotherhood members by: ensuring they know the time and location of Brotherhood opportunities, assisting (as needed) in arranging transportation to the Brotherhood opportunities, and offering assistance to the lodge (as needed) in the Brotherhood process. He may also, at the discretion of the PLC, offer periodic training and discussions of OA principles, symbolism, and the Legend as needed by and appropriate for the troop members of the Order.

Leads at least one troop service project for the community or charter partner during the year. May also serve, at the discretion of the PLC, as the troop’s service chairman.

Assists the troop (as appropriate) as a trainer of leadership and outdoor skills.

In all cases, advocates environmental stewardship and Leave No Trace camping.

Sets a good example by: wearing the Scout uniform correctly, showing Scout spirit, and living by the Scout Oath, the Scout law and the OA Obligation.

In Varsity Scout teams

Attends team and chapter or lodge meetings regularly as a youth representative of the team and Order.

Serves as a two-way communication link between the team and the lodge or chapter.

Arranges with the lodge or chapter election team to conduct an annual Order of the Arrow election for the team.

Arranges with the lodge or chapter for at least one camp promotion visit to the unit annually.

Makes at least one high adventure presentation to the team, to include the OA programs, annually.

As requested by the Varsity Team Captain, facilitates recognition at appropriate times of: high adventure participation of team members, induction of new OA members, changes in OA honors of team members, leadership of team members, and other appropriate activities.

Coordinates the Ordeal Induction process for newly elected candidates by: ensuring they know the time and location of the Ordeal, providing information of what to bring to the Ordeal, assisting (as needed) in arranging transportation to the Ordeal, and offering assistance (as needed) to the lodge in the Ordeal process.

Assists current Ordeal members in the team in sealing their membership by becoming Brotherhood members by: ensuring they know the time and location of Brotherhood opportunities, assisting (as needed) in arranging transportation to the Brotherhood opportunities, and offering assistance to the lodge (as needed) in the Brotherhood process. He may also offer periodic training and discussions of OA principles, symbolism, and the Legend as needed by and appropriate for the team members of the Order.

Leads at least one team service project for the community or charter partner during the year. May also serve as the team’s service chairman.

Assists the team (as appropriate) as a trainer of leadership and outdoor skills.

In all cases, advocates environmental stewardship and Leave No Trace camping.

Sets a good example by: wearing the Scout uniform correctly, showing Scout spirit, and living by the Scout Oath, the Scout law and the OA Obligation.

Qualifications

In Boy Scout troops

In Varsity Scout teams

Reports to

Working with the adult OA Advisor

As with all positions in the Order, the unit OA representative should have an adult advisor. This adult needs to be 21 years of age or older, a due-paid member of the Order of the Arrow, and appointed by the troop Scoutmaster or the Varsity Team Coach